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Ca

OKay my "Big Max" Pumpkin (2 plants) gets watered every evening about the same amount. Our summer heat has been increasing (100-108) and it is wilted badly by the next watering. I also noted my largest pumpkin about 8" in diameter split around the blossom end. I put some coconut mulch to help keep the moisture longer ans gave it an extra douse of water in the morning. I give it fish emulsion once a month. I've found about 5 pumpkins fist size split and completley rotten. I have one that is still perfect, one fist size split but not rotten (I came around after I established the extra morning water). The larger is trying to heal and has not retten yet. I read online that black pepper helped it heal- so I put that on thismorning and also applied some extra calcuim this morning. I thought it could have been our intense sun- but the leaves were well shading the small ones and my cinderella variety is perfect.

Any suggestions on the cause? And solution?

8/3/2011 3:24:43 PM

Mtn. Green, Utah

I would consider watering a couple times a day with a timer during the hottest hours. This will help with the heat stress. Most likely the heat is causing your pumpkins to abort. In extreme heat, we place ice near (not touching) the pumpkins at the time of pollination to create a cool microclimate for a day or so.

8/4/2011 1:16:45 AM

Muddy Waters

To hot to pollinate what are your lows??at nite?

8/4/2011 6:23:19 AM

Ca

My lows vary anywhere from 78-63 or so.

So far the black pepper might be working- i'll let everyone know in a couple of days. The heats gone down for a little while it been in the low to upper 90's last couple days.

8/7/2011 5:45:55 PM

Ca

oh yea- i'm still getting babies- its just at fist size that they rot. little bugars.

8/7/2011 8:16:37 PM